MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 3, 2013 /CNW/ - Bayshore Home Health is embarking
on its eighth consecutive year to raise money for local palliative care
hospices across the country. Over the last seven years the home health
care provider has raised over one million dollars for hospice
palliative care through the annual Hike for Hospice fundraising events in communities across Canada. The company is also
donating an additional $2,000 with its Hospice Donation Draw where people go online to vote for their local hospice.

Staff at more than 40 Bayshore Home Health offices across the country
will join thousands of Canadians on May 5 for the annual Hike for
Hospice Palliative Care. The events take place in more than 100
communities. The fundraiser, organized by the Canadian Hospice
Palliative Care Association, marks the start of National Hospice
Palliative Care Week, which runs until May 11.

Hikers aim to raise funds and awareness for hospice palliative care at
the community level, as well as recognizing the vital contribution of
volunteers and professionals in the field. Last year's Hike for Hospice
Palliative Care attracted the largest ever number of participants, who
raised over 1.7 million dollars.

"Bayshore nurses and caregivers are on the front lines of palliative
care so they know just how important access to hospices are for
patients and their families," says Holly Quinn, Bayshore Home Health's
chief nursing officer. "The Hike is the perfect way for us to get out
in communities across Canada to celebrate all the great work hospices
provide while raising money for them at the same time."

Hospice palliative care programs allow patients to gain more control
over their lives, manage pain and symptoms more effectively and provide
support to family and informal caregivers. Despite the many benefits,
more than 70 per cent of people dying in Canada do not have access to
hospice palliative care, which is funded disproportionately by private
donors. The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association is working
toward ensuring that more Canadians receive the end-of-life care they
deserve.

Bayshore has been a national sponsor Hike for Hospice since 2006. Last year, Bayshore Home Health raised more than $152,000
for the Hike. Staff participation is not limited to the actual event.
Most branches conduct various fundraising efforts throughout the year,
including golf tournaments, guest speaker conferences, book and bake
sales, dances and fashion shows. This year, Bayshore Home Health hopes
to raise $200,000 in its ongoing contribution to the cause.

The click of a mouse and a little luck is worth $2,000 for a local
hospice

Canadians can enter Bayshore's Hospice Donation Draw beginning May 6 by going to www.bayshore.ca, clicking on the Hospice Donation Draw graphic and typing the password: HOSPICE DRAW. The entry form must be
completed by June 6. The winner, who receives $2,000 to donate to a
local hospice of his or her choice, will be announced on Bayshore's
website during the week of June 17.

Last year, Sarnia resident Kathy Moulton was chosen out more than 1,450
entrants to win last year's Hospice Donation Draw. Ms. Moulton donated
her winnings to St. Joseph's Hospice to help in the delivery of end of
life and bereavement services in the Sarnia Lambton area.

"Palliative care is something that almost every one of us will need,"
adds Bayshore Home Health's Quinn. "We are encouraging everyone -
including doctors, hospital staff, social workers, discharge planners,
other health care professionals and the public - to go online and enter
the contest so that the winning hospice can move closer to its
fundraising goals."

About Bayshore Home Health
Bayshore Home Health delivers a wide range of nursing, personal care,
home support and companion services through more than 50 home care
offices and two-dozen community care clinics across the country,
serving over 100,000 clients annually. These services are purchased by
government care programs, insurance companies, workers' compensation
boards and the public. It also provides nurse and caregiver staffing
services to health care organizations and the corporate sector.
Bayshore Home Health is a division of Bayshore HealthCare, one of
Canada's leading providers of home and community health care services
and a recipient of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies award since 2006.
More information can be found at www.bayshore.ca.